Feeding device and method



Feb. 2, 1937. G, MQNNET EEEDING DEVICE AND METHOD Filed NOV. 8, 1934 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 2, 1,937

2,069,261 FEEDING DEVICE AND ME'rnoD Georges Monnet,

Chateau de Franiere,

Namur,

Belgium, assignor to Societe Anonyme des Manufactures des Glaces & Produits Chimiques de Saint-Gobain, Chauny & Cirey, Paris,

France Application November 8, 1934, Serial No.

In France November 8. 1933 10 Claims. (Ul. 51-263) through the use vot which the variations in pressure oi the feeding pump will not disturb the 'I'his invention relates to a feeding device and method and refers more particularly to a feeding system used for supplying liquids or mixtures of a liquid and solid substances carried by said liquid to one or more machines or thelike.

The present invention is particularly concerned with regulatable means for periodically feeding abrasive mixtures used for the polishing and grinding of. mirrors and sheets of glass to the grinding and/or polishing machines.

Abrasive mixtures consisting of a nely divided abrasive material mixed in water are usually caused to ow through an endless pipe circuit andare fed to so-called consuming units. A grinding or polishing machine may comprise a number of theseconsuming units or a single unit `may be used for several grindingor polishing machines. Each of these units is usually connected by a feeding pipe lwith the endless pipe circuit, and is also provided with an overow pipe -through which the superfluous, unused amount of mixture is returned to the endless pipe circuit. A'pump or any other suitable device is used for causing a circulation of the abrasive mixture within the endless pipe circuit and for supplying the separate consuming units with the abrasive mixture.

Each of the feeding pipes is usually provided with a valve, which is operated manually and is kept open during a supplying a predetermined amount of the abrasive mixture to the consuming unit. The iiow of the abrasive mixture within the feeding and overflow pipes is usually caused by the same pump which provides for the ilow of the mixture within the endless pipe circuit, so that the mixture is subjected to the same pressure.

It has been found that it is practically impos-` sible to maintain a constant pressure within the endless pipe circuit', with the result that the supply of the mixture tothe grinding or polishing machines is often quite irregular. Furthermore, the solid abrasive material carried by the water often clogs the feeding pipes and the valves carried by these pipes, thus interrupting the flow of the abrasive mixture to the machines.

It also happensv that' the valves regulating the flow of the liquid through the pipes are not opened completely'by the operator, so that the nely divided abrasive material is deposited around these valves and prevents a free ow of 4the mixture. y

An object of the present invention is the provision .of a method of supplying an abrasive mixture to grinding and/or polishing machines period of time necessary for continuous 'and regular flow of the mixture through the various vpipes to the machine or machines.

Another object is the provision of means supplying an abrasive mixture from an endless pipe circuit to a grinding or polishing machine, which means can be easily cleaned and freed from deposits of the finely divided abrasive material contained in the abrasive mixture.

'A further object is the provision of means which will readily control the supply oi' abrasive mixture to a grinding or polishing machine, but which will prevent the abrasive material from clogging the passages 'or machine.

pipes .leading to this 'I'he above and other objects of the present invention may be realized of a separate feeding unit for through the provision each consuming unit, each feeding unit being connected by pipes to its consuming unit and circuit. Each feeding un container, the volume of with the endless pipe it comprises a hollow which may be changed by an easily operable regulating device.

The

abrasive mixture ows constantly through the container during the so-called lling period, i. e.

consuming unit. During t while the abrasive mixture is not supplied to the he feedingperiod, i. e.

while the consuming unit is supplied with the abrasive mixture,

this mixture is fed to the consuming unit from the container, which is thus emptied by the end of the feeding period.

lvalves may be conveniently operated from a dise tance and serve the purpose of facilitating the examination of the various fromvthe container.

pipes leading to and The volume of the hollow container may be fregulated by a piston or any other suitable device adapted to change the level of the abrasive mixture within the container and to fluous amount of said mixture pipe circuit.

empty the superinto the endless Due to this regulation of the container volume, the amount of the mixture supplied to each consumingunit may be easily ulated.

and conveniently reg- The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing showing preferredembodiments of the inventive idea.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a system of feeding units constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows on a larger scale one of the feeding units illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

Figures 3 and 4 show, partly in section and partly in side elevation, two differently constructed feeding units.

Figure 5 shows in section a valve illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

Figures 6 and 7 show in section twodifferently constructed valves.

The device illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 5 of the drawing comprises a container Ill which is filled with an abrasive mixture Il, said mixture consisting of water and any suitable finely divided abrasive material, such as sludges of sand, emery or rouge.

The container Ill is connected with an endless pipe circuit comprising an inlet pipe I2 and an outlet pipe I3, which leads into the interior of thecontainer I8 and which is connected with the inlet pipe I2 by the intermediate pipe I4.

A pump I5 of any suitable construction is connected with a pipe I6 projecting into the interior `of the container I0.

i purpose of supplying a number of consuming units A, B, C, and Z, with the abrasive mixture Il situated within the container I8.

The device connecting the consuming unit A with the endless pipe circuit I2, I3 comprises a feeding pipe I1 which is provided with a valve I8 and is connected to' a feeding unit I9. The feeding unit I9 is connected by a pipe 20 with the consuming unit A, and is also provided with an overow pipe 2l connecting the unit I9 with the outlet pipe I3 of the endless pipe circuit I2, I3.

In the device shown by way of example in Fig. 1 of the drawing, the means connecting the consuming units B, C and Z to the endless pipe circuit I2, I3 are similar to each other, each of said means comprising a feeding pipe 22 which connects the inlet pipe I2 with the feeding unit I9, and which is provided with a valve 23. Each feeding unit I9 is connected by an overflow pipe 24 provided with a valve 25 withthe outlet pipe I3 of the endless pipe circuit I2, I3. Each feeding unit I9 is connected by a pipe 26 provided with a valve 21 to its respective consuming unit.

' The feeding unit I9 is illustrated on a larger scale in Fig. 2 of the drawing; it comprises a container 28 comprising a hollow ange portion 29 surrounding an inlet opening 30 and connected with the pipe I1 through which the mixture I I is supplied to the interior of the container 29 from the inlet pipe I2.

Another ange portion 3l situated at the bottom of the container 28 is connected with the pipe 20 andforms an opening 32, through which the abrasive mixture II is supplied to the consuming unit A. The pipe 231s provided with a valve 33. Another opening 34 provided at the bottom of the container 28 is in communication with the interior of a bent pipe 35 having an opening 36 which is situated above the convergingwalls 31 of the pipe 2l connecting the feeding unit I9 with the unit I9 consists preferably of two parts Ila and I1b which are interconnected by a tube or sleeve 38 made of elastic material, such as rubber.

A'cylinder 39 is placed close to the elastic tube 38 and is connected by a coiled spring 40 with a piston 4I which is slidably mounted within the cylinder 39. The piston 4I is hollow and the chamber 42 formed by the side walls of the piston 4I is in communication with an opening 43 provided in the cylinder 39. An air pump or any other suitable device used for producing compressed air and not shown in the drawing, is connected by a pipe 44 with the cylinder 39, so that compressed air will flow through the pipe 44 and the opening 43 into the interior 42 of the piston 4I. i

A stop piece 45 is placed close to the elastic pipe 38 opposite the piston 4I.

The device is operated as follows:

During that period of time while the consuming f unit A is to be supplied with the abrasive mix- In order to close the valve I8, compressed air is supplied through the pipe 44 and the opening 43 into the chamber 42. Then the compressed air will move the piston 4I to the right (looking in the direction of Fig. 5) causing an extension of the spring 40 and pressing the elastic tube 38 against the stop piece 45 until the tube 38 is completely closed. This last position is shown by broken lines in Fig. 5. While the overflow pipe `2I of the unit A is not provided with any valves, the overow pipes 24 of the units B, C, and Z, are provided with valves 25. Obviously, it is possible to' construct devices the overflow pipes of which are provided with valves 25, and other devices which do not have such valves.

During the feeding period, while the abrasive mixture II is supplied to the consuming units B, C, and Z, the valves 21 should be opened and the valves 23 and 25 should be closed.

The volume of the hollow container 28 should be adjusted in such manner that the container 28 is substantially emptied by the end of the feeding period.

In the device shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing the volume of the container 28 is varied through the provision of a piston 41 at least a part of which is situated within the container 28. The piston 41 is carried by the threaded rod 48 provided with a handle 49 and carried by a support 58, which is rigidly connected with the container 28.

Furthermore, thelevel of the mixture within the container 28.may be adjusted by the bent pipe 35, since this pipe will maintain the level of the abrasive mixture within the container 28 at the vheight of the opening 36, the superfluous amount chamber 42 can escape into the open. Then the vided in the bottom of container 60.

-with a pipe 6|,

spring 4|! will pull the piston 4I from the position shown by broken lines in Fig. 5 to the position shown by full lines in that figure, with the result that the abrasive mixture II will be able to flow freely through the inlet pipe I2, the portion Hb, the elastic pipe 38, the pipe portion I'Ia, 4and the opening 30 into the interior of the container 28.

After the container 28 has been gradually lled with the abrasive mixture II, the superuous amount of this mixture will flow through the opening 34, the pipe 35, the opening 38 and the pipe 2| back into the outlet pipe I3.

Obviously, if the outlet pipes 24 (Fig. 1) are provided withy valves 25, these valves should re-v main open while the abrasive mixture II ows into the container 28, in order to prevent an overflow.

A characteristic feature of the operation of the described feeding system consists, therefore, in

that during a predetermined period of time the container 28 is lled with the abrasive mixture. During that time the operative connection between the container 28 and its consuming unit is interrupted, while, obviously, the container 28 remains connected with the inlet pipe I2 and the outlet pipe lI3 of the endless pipe circuit. During a following period of time, the container 28 is operatively connected with its consuming unit. while its connections with the inlet pipe I2 and the outlet pipe I3 are interrupted. During that time the contents of the container 28 are gradually emptied, so that the container' is substantially empty at the time when its connection with the inlet pipe I2 and the outlet pipe I3 is 17eestablished.

Since the abrasive mixture II is continuously flowing through `the container 28, there is n0 danger that the nely divided abrasive material' will be deposited and will clog the passages of the' feeding system. The amount of the mixture which is to be supplied to each consuming unit during the feeding period can be conveniently determined and does not depend upon the condition of the pipes or their valves, provided that the container is completely filled while the feeding is not takingiplace, and is completely emptied duri-ng the feeding period.- This can be easily accomplished by determining the period of time during which the mixture is supplied to the container and the period of time during which the contents of the filled container are emptied. The containercan be easily inspected and cleaned and it is possible to inspect conveniently the pipes connecting the container to the consuming unit and to the endless pipe circuit.

Figure 3 shows a lling unit of a somewhat different type, which can be conveniently used as a part of the system shown in Figure 1. The device comprises a container 80 provided with a passage 62, which connects the interior of the container the opposite end of which is connected with the inlet pipe I2. A valve 63 is carried by the pipe 6I.A Another passage 64 provided in the bottom of the container 68 connects the interior of the container with a pipe 65,

which is. used for supplyingY the abrasive mixture j to a consuming unit.

The level of the abrasive-mixture II withinthe l container 60 is determined b'y an adjustable pipe 88, which is slidably mounted in a sleeve 61 pro- The pipe 66 is situated above the pipe 2| which is provided with converging walls 31 and connected'to the outlet'pipe I3. f Y

'Ihe level of the abrasive mixture'II within the container 60 is determined yby the position of the opening 68 of the pipe 86. In order to diminish the amount of the abrasive mixture nlling the container 68 it is merely necessary to lower the pipe 66, while to increase the amount of the mixture the pipe 66 has to be raised within the container 68.

The filling unit shown in Figure 4 of the drawing comprises a container lled with the abrasive mixture II and ilrmly connected with a pipe 1I formed at the bottom of the container 10. The bottom of the container 18 is further provided With an opening 12, connected with a, pipe 'I3 which carries a valve 14 and which is connected with the inlet pipe I2. Another opening provided at the bottom of the container 10 communicates with the interior of the pipe 18, used for supplying the abrasive mixture to a consuming unit. 'I'he pipe 16.carries a valve 11.

The end 18 of the pipe 19 is rotatably mounted in the pipe 1I, so that the inclination of the pipe 19 with respect to the container 10 may be adjusted at-will. The opening 80 of the pipe 19 is situated over the opening 8| formed by the walls 82 and 83 which are connected with or form a part of the container 10. The converging walls 84 of the pipe 85 surround the opening 8|. The pipe 85 is connected with the outlet pipe I3 of the endless pipe circuit.

In this device the amount of abrasive mixture in the container 10 is regulated by the position of the rotatable pipe 19. When the pipe 19 is placed in a position substantially parallel to the container 10, the level of the abrasive mixture within the container 10 will be determined by the length of the pipe 19. When the pipe 19 is inclined with respect to the container 10, the level of the abrasive mixture within the container 18 will be determined by the position of .the opening 88 of pipe 19. It is thus possible to regulate the amount of the mixture within the Acontainer 18 by changing the position of the pipe 19.

The superuous amount of the mixture II flowing out of the opening 80 of the pipe 19 will flow along the inclined wall 83 and pass through the opening 8| and the pipe 85 into the outlet pipe I3 vof the endless pipe circuit.

The valve I 8, which in the example illustrated is used in connection with the pipe I1,.may also be conveniently used as a substitute for the valve 33, carried by the pipe 20, or the valves and 21 carried by the pipes 24 and .26 respectively. The valve I8 may be replaced by valves of slightly different constructions. Two of these constructions are illustrated by way of example in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawing.

The valve shown in Figure 6 comprises a. ilexible or elastic plate or diaphragm 90, which constitutes a wall of a hollow container 9| provided with an opening 92. A pipe 93 surrounds the opening v92` and is connected to an air pump which isnot shown in the drawing. The diaphragm or plate 90 is placed close to an elastic tube 94 which may be made of rubber and which joins the ends of the two pipe portions I1a and |1b. Astop piece 95 is 94 opposite the container 9|. v

When it is desired to close Athe valve and to interrupt the connection between the pipe portions I1a and I 1b, compressed air is introduced through the pipe 93 and' the opening 92 into the interior 96 of the container 9|. The compressed air will press against the diaphragm 93 the lwalls of the flexible tube 94, which reaches placed close to the tube which will expand .and in its turn press against the position shown by broken lines in Figure 6. Then the valve is closed and the flow of the mixture between the pipe portions |1a and |1b is interrupted. In order to open the valve it is merely necessary to provide a connection between the interior 96 of the container 9| and atmospheric air. The compressed air situated within the chamber 96 will escape, so that the diaphragm 00 will return to the position shown in full lines in Figure 6.

The valve shown by way of example in Figure 7 of the drawing comprises pipe portions |001 and |0| which are interconnected by a casing |02, having a larger diameter than that of the pipe portions |00 and |0| and surrounding the adjacent endsof these pipe portions. The casing |02 is provided with an opening |04, which is surrounded by pipe |05 connected with an air pump or a similar device not shown in the drawing. An elastic tube |03 interconnects the tubes |00 and |0|.

In the position shown in full lines in Figure 7, the abrasive mixture can |00, the tube |03, and the pipe |0|. In order to close the valve, compressed ai:` is supplied through the pipe |05 and the opening |04 into the interior |06 of the casing |02. Compressed air within the casing |02 will press against the walls of the tube |03. causing it to occupy the position shown by broken lines in Figure 7. Then the valve is closed and the flow of the mixture between the pipesv |00 and |0| is interrupted. Y

In order to'open the valve it is merely necessary to remove the compressed air from the chamber |06. Then the tube |03 will again as-:

sume the position shown by full lines in Figure '7 --and the ow of the mixture between pipes |00 and |0I will be resumed.

Obviously, any of the valves illustrated in Figures 5, 6 or '7 may be used as a substitute for any one of the valves illustrated in Figure l, while any of the feeding units shown in Figures 2, 3 or 4 may be substituted for any of the feeding units illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a pipe adapted to transmit an abrasive substance, a pinch valve comprising an elastic tube forming a part of the pipe carrying said valve and adapted to transmit said substance, a member adapted to press against said elastic tube to close the same, and means supplying compressed air to said member in order to press said member against said elastic tube.

2. In combination with a pipe adapted to transmit an abrasive substance, a pinch valve comprising an elastic tube forming a part of the pipe carrying said valve and adapted to transmit said substance, a piston adapted to press against said tube in order to close the same, a cylinder supporting said piston, and means for supplying compressed air into the interior of said cylinder to operate said piston in order to close said tube.

3. In combination with a pipe adapted to transmit an abrasive substance, a pinch valve comprising an elastic tube forming a part of the pipe carrying said valve and adapted to transmit said substance, a flexible member situated close to said elastic tube, and means for supplying compressed air to press said flexible member against said tube in order to close the same.

4. In combination with a pipe adapted to transmit an abrasive substance, a pinch valve comprising an elastic tube forming a part of the pipe carrying said valve and adapted to transmit said substance, a casing surrounding said elastic tube,

flow through the pipe' and means for introducing compressed air into the interior of said casing.

5. The combination with a polishing or grinding apparatus; of a system for the periodic feeding of abrasive fluid, comprising a closed main pipe circuit for continuous circulation of said abrasive fluid, a secondary pipe circuit comprising a container for collecting a predetermined amount of said abrasive fluid, and means connecting said container with said main circuit and comprising a valve for isolating the amount of abrasive fluid collepted in said container at predetermined intervals, whereby the continuous circulation of the fluid through the secondary circuit is temporarily interrupted; a pipe connecting said container with said apparatus, whereby an amount of the abrasive fluid is fed to said apparatus, a valve carried by said pipe, the last-mentioned valve being closed during the interval between two successive ieedings, whereby the circulation of the iluid throughthe secondary circuit may be resumed, and means connected with said.

container for regulating the capacity thereof.

6. The combination with a polishing of grinding apparatus; of a system for the periodic feeding of abrasive fluid, comprising a closed main pipe circuit for continuous circulation oi said abrasive fluid, a secondary pipe circuit comprising a container for collecting a predetermined amount of said abrasive fluid, means connecting said container with said main circuit and comprising a. valve for isolating the amount of abrasive uid collected in said container at predetermined intervals, whereby the continuous circulation of the fluid through the secondary circuit is temporarily interrupted; said secondary circuit also comprising an overow pipe connected with said main circuit for returning a superfluous amount of said fluid from said container to said main circuit; a pipe connecting said container with said apparatus, whereby an amount of the abrasive fluid is fed to said apparatus, a valve carried by said pipe, the last-mentioned valve being closed during the interval between two successive feedings, whereby the circulation of the fluid through the secondaryI circuit may be resumed, a piston at least partially situated within said container, and means adjustably supporting said piston Within said container.

7. The combination with a polishing or grindlng apparatus; of a system for the periodic feeding of abrasive fluid, comprising a closed main pipe circuit for continuous circulation of said abrasive fluid, a secondary pipe circuit comprising a container for collecting a predetermined amount of said abrasive fluid, means connecting said container with said main circuit and comprising a valve for isolating the amount of abrasive fluid collected in said container termined intervals, whereby the continuous circulation of the fluid through the secondary circuit is temporarily interrupted; said secondary circuit also comprising a pipe pivoted at one end to an axis insaid container, whereby the vertical position of the opposite end of the pipe maybe altered; a pipe connecting said container with said apparatus, whereby an amount of the abrasive uid is fed to said apparatus, and a valve carried by the last-mentioned pipe, the last-mentioned valve being closed during the interval between two successive feedings, whereby the circulation of the fluid through the secondary lcircuit may be resumed. y

8. The combination with a polishing or grinding apparatus; of a system for the periodic feedat predeing of abrasive uid, comprising a closed main pipe circuit for continuous circulation of said abrasive uid, a secondary pipe circuit comprising a container for collecting a predetermined amount of said abrasive uid, a pipe slidably mounted in said container, at least .a portion of said pipe being situated within said container, and'an overow pipe connected with said main circuit and adapted to return the superfluous amount of said fluid passing through the rstmentioned pipe to said main circuit; a pipe connecting said container with said apparatus, whereby an amount of the abrasive fluid is fed to said apparatus, and a valve carried by the lastmentioned pipe, the last-mentioned valve being closed during the interval between two successive feedings, whereby the circulation of the uid through the secondary circuit may be resumed.

9. A system for the periodic feeding of abrasive fluid, comprising a, closed main pipe circuit for continuous circulation of said abrasive uid, a secondary pipe circuit comprising a container for collecting a predetermined amount of said abrasive iluid, and means connecting said container with said main circuit and comprising a valve for isolating the amount of abrasive iiuid collected in said container at predetermined intervals, whereby the continuous circulation of the uid through the secondary circuit is temporarily interrupted; and means connecting said container with a consuming unit to supply an amount of said uid to said consuming unit and comprising a valve which is closed during the interval between two successive feedings, whereby the circulation of the fluid through the secondary `:ircuit may be resumed.

` 10. In combination with a pipe adapted to transmit an abrasive substance, an elastic tube constituting a part of said pipe and adapted to transmit said abrasive substance, a pinch valve, said elastic tube constituting a part of said pinch valve, and compressed air-actuated means for compressing said elastic tube to interrupt the flow 20 oi said abrasive substance through said tube.

GEORGES MONN'ET. 

